For the first time, Southington’s two major holiday events are being combined into one enhanced offering. The Merchants of Downtown Southington (MDS) and the Village of Plantsville Association (VPA) invite everyone to their White Christmas in the Community event on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Town councilor Dawn Miceli and Liberty Bank manager Robert Flood have been working on this event for months, along with Dolores Fanelli and Joanne Alfieri from the VPA and Susan Urillo Larson from DMA.

This combined event will connect the two locations and provide a fun, free, family-oriented evening for residents.

“From our civic clubs to businesses and residents, we have raised funding to cover all expenses,” Miceli said.

A map and schedule of events will be handed out on both the Plantsville and Southington greens. Visitors are encouraged to choose either location to kick-off their evening.

“Pick a green, and you won’t miss a thing,” Flood said. He encourages people to arrive at 5:30 p.m. at either green for the annual tree lighting ceremony, which will go off at 6 p.m. at both locations.

Visitors can start at either tree lighting ceremony and begin to explore. Transportation between locations will be provided by a free trolley car on Main Street and hay rides along the town’s linear trail with carolers.

Both transportation devices will have designated pick-up and drop-off locations, and the trolley will announce its last ride around 8 p.m. Different activities and crafts are planned to run throughout the entire event, providing many options for families and their young ones.

“Our town is really coming together,” said Flood.

The Southington Community Cultural Arts (SoCCA) and Zingarella will both feature craft stations, so visitors can create a unique Christmas ornament. Santa will arrive in Plantsville on a fire truck to meet the children at the firehouse, but he will also make a stop at Bank of America.

TD Bank will be open until 7 p.m. for people to write letters to Santa.

A live nativity scene featuring actors and animals will be performing in the Factory Square parking lot close to Center Street.

Businesses in both centers will be decorated for the holidays. Luminaries and decorations will be arranged along the rail-trail. Holiday lights and decorations will be arranged on the town green and Plantsville center.

“Our theme is white lights,” Miceli said. “We are asking that all business and residents who reside along North Main, Main, and West Main streets light up their storefronts, windows, trees, etc., with white lights.”

More information can be obtained on the White Christmas in the Community Facebook page, or by calling Dawn Miceli at (860) 681-8006, Rob Flood at (860) 609-4620, or Joanne Alfieri at (860) 919-2532.

All elementary and middle school students received an informational flier which was sent home by Tuesday.